Things are going to be a bit different when students of Cagayan de Oro’s four universities resume classes next month.
In fact, when classes on all levels at Capitol University resume on Monday, August 3, 2020, there will be practically no students coming in through the gates of their main campus at Corrales-Osmena Ext and satellite campus at Gusa.
“Capitol University has developed CUDDLE (CU Dedicated Distance Learning Environment) which is CU’s answer to the call for delivering quality education to our students without compromising their safety,” said Dr. Fe Rosales-Juarez, CU Executive Vice President.
“CUDDLE involves Flexi-Learning featuring many modalities, mostly online, but also includes hybrid learning, offline for students without connectivity- to cater to the needs of the times,” Dr Juarez added.
Flexible Learning Opportunities
With CUDDLE, learning opportunities are made available to students in consideration of their present situation with regards to current IATF guidelines in response to the global pandemic.
CU offers three learning modes: Entirely Online learning, Modified Hybrid Learning, and Blended Learning.
Entirely Online Learning is for students who have the connectivity to access and fulfill all course materials online. For this coming school year, classes will be conducted via Google Classroom-CU’s official Learning Management System Platform.
CU uses Google Suite for education with each student and faculty given an institutional Google Account to maximize all its advanced educational features.
Modified Hybrid Learning is for students with unstable internet connections but can communicate via mobile phones or Facebook chat. Students can choose from either Entirely Offline (for those who do not have computers or internet access) or Mostly Offline (for those who have functional ICT equipment but no reliable internet connection).
Those opting for Entirely Offline can either pick up campus learning packets with printed and digitally-stored (USB flash disks to be provided by the student) copies of the materials make a one-time download of the learning packets which they can comply with offline, and later upload online after they have fulfilled all learning requirements.
On the other hand, Blended Learning is for courses that require competencies and activities not feasible through distance education. Minimal face-to-face classes can be scheduled when conditions allow.
Students are only allowed to choose one modality which best suit their current situation and cannot change to other modalities within a semester.
There will be no changes to the present grading system as specified in the CU Student Manual.
No tuition fee increase
For the First Semester of school year 2020-2021, CU will not implement any tuition fee increase and will further realign some fees such as for athletics, library, et al for service which cannot be availed of during the current pandemic to further reduce the fees.
“So far, we have managed to maintain our present employees despite the pandemic,” Dr Juarez noted when asked about the economic impact of the community quarantine imposed on the city as a result of the pandemic.
“However, we still have to see how many students will be enrolling in the coming semester to say how we can face the near future and what is needed to be done to maintain the quality of education in our school,” she added.
Capitol University maintains two campuses. Its Main Campus at Corrales & S. Osmena Ext for Graduate, Undergraduate and Senior High School students, and its Gusa Campus for Pre-School, Grade School and Junior High School.
Summer Pilot Program
CU will not be moving into this new milieu unprepared.
During the May – June 2020 hiatus when the city was practically at a standstill under the initial onslaught of the global pandemic, CU piloted an online summer program involving 829 students to test the new teaching modalities. Training of its faculty was also done rigorously, and is continuing at present.
“Fortunately we had some very positive results, especially with helping students develop a sense of personal responsibility and accountability for their performance, instead of leaving most of that burden on their teacher under traditional classroom teaching.” Dr Juarez noted.
In addition to testing the new modes of teaching, the program also included individual e-counseling for students, and an orientation for parents at the Gusa Campus on how to do home schooling once classes resume this August.
CU’s online guidance counselling and consultation services for students facilitated by their Guidance Center will be available to support students especially regarding their mental and emotional health. These services can be accessed online, SMS or phone calls.
Student support services and co-curricular activities that are appropriate under the current set-up are also being designed in pursuit of the development of CU graduates as the “Total Person.”
About Capitol University
Capitol University (CU) formerly Cagayan Capitol College was established in 1971 as a non – sectarian, co – educational private academic institution, that operates with the authority of the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education.
It was granted University Status by CHED on February 3, 2003 and was formally inaugurated as Capitol University with Atty. Casimiro B. Juarez, Jr. as its first University President on May 3, 2003.
Capitol University was granted Autonomous Status per CHED Memo No. 12, s.2019 effective June 1, 2019. Having evolved as one of the premier academic institutions in the country, CU continues its thrust towards excellence in the areas of instruction, research and community engagement in order to achieve its mission of developing the youth into “Total Persons”.
In 2019, in preparation for the Golden Anniversary celebration of her Foundation (in February 14, 2021), CU reviewed her Vision-Mission with the purpose of making it more relevant and meaningful:
VISION
Accessible excellent education for enhanced quality of life.
Mission
Capitol University is committed to develop the youth into “Total Persons,” mature and responsible individuals who are intellectually, professionally, and technically competent, imbued with desirable attitudes, and steeped in moral and spiritual values, who will serve as catalysts for social transformation.
Core Values of the CU Graduate
Character
Capitol University strives to develop the “Total Person,” one who has a strong foundation of integrity, courage, and moral virtue. CU prepares her students to be engaged catalysts of hope and change in challenging times by developing their social consciousness and ethical leadership skills.
Competence
CU seeks to transform students into professionals who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to enable them to respond to challenges and excel in the modern global arena.
Commitment
The Total Person is dedicated to excellence in all endeavors. CU ingrains among her students the value of hard work and a sense of responsibility, not only for their personal duties but also their role in the greater community. They know that the future of the country and the world rests in the work of their hands.
Culture
CU cultivates excellence in the arts, letters, and scholarly pursuits for the enrichment of the Filipino nation. CU also fosters progressive and tolerant individuals who appreciate and respect diverse histories, beliefs, and identities.
Care
CU engenders a culture of care characterized by showing concern, kindness, affection, and respect for other people. This begins by molding compassionate individuals with a sincere appreciation of the value of each person. Total Person development entails a balance between academic excellence and emotional intelligence thus, CU nurtures the capacities for high performance and high care.
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